1ly7
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The solution structure of the the c-terminal domain of frataxin, the protein responsible for friedreich ataxia
OverviewOverview
BACKGROUND: Lesions in the gene for frataxin, a nuclear-encoded, mitochondrial protein, cause the recessively inherited condition, Friedreich's ataxia. It is thought that the condition arises from, disregulation of mitochondrial iron homeostasis, with concomitant, oxidative damage leading to neuronal death. Very little is, as yet, known, about the biochemical function of frataxin. RESULTS: Here, we show that, the mature form of recombinant frataxin behaves in solution as a, monodisperse species that is composed of a 15-residue-long unstructured N, terminus and an evolutionarily conserved C-terminal region that is able to, fold independently. The structure of the C-terminal domain consists of a, stable seven-stranded antiparallel beta sheet packing against a pair of, parallel helices. The structure is compact with neither grooves nor, cavities, features that are typical of iron-binding modules. Exposed, evolutionarily conserved residues cover a broad area and all cluster on, the beta-sheet face of the structure, suggesting that this is a, functionally important surface. The effect of two clinically occurring, mutations on the fold was checked experimentally. When the mature protein, was titrated with iron, no tendency to iron-binding or to aggregation was, observed. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of the frataxin structure provides, important guidelines as to the nature of the frataxin binding partner. The, absence of all the features expected for an iron-binding activity, the, large conserved area on its surface and lack of evidence for iron-binding, activity strongly support an indirect involvement of frataxin in iron, metabolism. The effects of point mutations associated with Friedreich's, ataxia can be rationalised by knowledge of the structure and suggest, possible models for the occurrence of the disease in compound heterozygous, patients.
DiseaseDisease
Known diseases associated with this structure: Friedreich ataxia OMIM:[606829], Friedreich ataxia with retained reflexes OMIM:[606829]
About this StructureAbout this Structure
1LY7 is a Single protein structure of sequence from Homo sapiens. This structure superseeds the now removed PDB entry 1DLX. Full crystallographic information is available from OCA.
ReferenceReference
Towards a structural understanding of Friedreich's ataxia: the solution structure of frataxin., Musco G, Stier G, Kolmerer B, Adinolfi S, Martin S, Frenkiel T, Gibson T, Pastore A, Structure. 2000 Jul 15;8(7):695-707. PMID:10903947
Page seeded by OCA on Mon Nov 12 18:05:05 2007